Clearer guidelines, application processes urged
PETALING JAYA: Although education groups welcome the increased allocations for vernacular schools, they are asking for better disbursement methods and an increased coverage scope for the funds.
Chinese educationist group Dong Zong president Datuk Tan Yew Sing said there needs to be clear guidelines and application processes for schools to apply for the funds.
“We appreciate the government’s allocation and their intention to help improve the facilities in Chinese primary schools.
“We hope that the government will be able to let us know as soon as possible so that these resources can be properly utilised for the actual needs of the school,” he said when contacted.
He added that funds should be distributed directly to schools as soon as possible so that they could plan repair work, purchase learning equipment or improve facilities.
At the same time, he said there needs to be increased transparency on how the annual allocation budget for the different types of schools in the country is determined, as well as accountability.
“We hope that the government will continue to allocate the resources to fund all the different types of schools in a transparent and fair manner so that all schools, which are involved in Malaysia’s future human resource training, can have a fair opportunity to develop,” he added.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will increase the allocation for Chinese vernacular schools from RM50mil to RM80mil.
He also said they will increase the annual allocation for Tamil vernacular schools nationwide from RM30mil to RM50mil, beginning in 2026.
Malaysian Tamil School Education Development and Welfare Association president Vetrivelan Mahalingam said while they welcome the increase, there is “an imbalance” in allocations compared to Chinese schools.
“We acknowledge this as a positive and meaningful step toward strengthening Tamil vernacular education, which has contributed significantly to Malaysia’s multicultural identity for generations.
“While we fully support all vernacular schools, Tamil schools face unique and urgent structural challenges that require additional attention,” he said.
He added that based on data the association has compiled, over 100 Tamil schools nationwide are in critical condition and urgently require relocation due to various reasons.
These include unsafe and dilapidated buildings, unsuitable or shrinking land areas, and are located far away from residential areas where there is demand for these schools, said Vetrivelan, who is also the president of the Coalition of Nationwide SJKT NGOs Leaders Action Movement.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said the government needs to ensure the repairs approved are value for money.
He also proposed that the allocation is channelled directly to schools’ Parent-Teacher Association.
Separately, Anwar said parents can collect RM150 Early Schooling Aid for each schooling child from their respective schools.
